Illinois State University wants to lock up the domains to keep them away from pornographers

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Illinois State University is trying to lock up nine Internet domain names with the planned .xxx suffix to keep them out of the hands of pornographers.

ISU Chief Technology Officer Mark Walbert told WJBC Radio the school wants to avoid someone using Redbirds.xxx, IllinoisState.xxx or some other school-related domain name to sell porn.

ISU claimed the RedBirds and IllinoisState names as well as StateYourPassion.xxx using its trademarks on those names during what was called a sunrise registration period back in September. The school hasn't confirmed yet that those names belong to it.

The school will have to register the other names it hopes to claim when the general registration period opens next week. Some other schools and organizations around the country are taking similar steps.